kern (4)

[Perhaps from Lat. crena =a notch.] Print.: The part of a letter which overhangs the shank. It is found more frequently in italic than in roman. *kern (1), v. i. [Ger.kern; Dan. kierne , kiærne ; Icel. kjarni ; Sw. kärna; O. H. Ger. cher no , all a kernel (q. v.).] 1. To harden, as corn in ripening. "An ill kerned or saved harvest soon emptieth their old store." Carew. 2. To take the form of grains; to granulate. kěrn (2), v. t. [KERN (4), 8.] Type-found.: To form with a kern. fate, fat, färe, amidst, what, fall, family Keronia. K. polyporum is parasitic upon Hydra.